Typically known for its rich architecture, restaurants and Southern charm, the city of Charleston would not be your first option when you are planning a romantic getaway with your loved one. However, we are here to tell you that Charleston has a dizzying myriad of activities for couples of all ages to enjoy together, from old-fashioned horse-drawn carriages to more relaxed, summery coastal activities, to exquisite gardens where you can enjoy a lovely picnic in the breezy mornings. In addition to all these treats, you and your partner can also sample a potential hobby to share between yourselves, with antique shows, jazz festivals, oyster festivals and author meets. And a vast array of romantic accommodation options are available here too - from historic hotels to amazing vacation rentals in Charleston. If you are confused about how to plan your itinerary in this gorgeous city, given below is a list of romantic things to do in Charleston with your loved one.
1. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride
Taking a horse-drawn carriage ride is a must-do in Charleston. If you are looking for an old-fashioned way to make your loved one swoon, take a carriage ride along the narrow stone streets of Charleston. There are several places within the city that offer this service as a one-hour private tour, and they will surely make you feel like you’ve been transported straight into a Jane Austen novel!
The Best Carriage Rides Available
Hours: Opens 9:00 am
Price: 26 USD Per Adult
Websites: Palmetto Carriage Ride, Old South Carriage Ride, Classic Carriage Rides
2. Romantic picnic at Middleton Place
If you’re wondering what to do in Charleston with your partner, then how about enjoying a picnic at Middleton Place? Renowned for its beautiful manicured gardens and refined lodgings, Middleton Place is an ideal spot for a couple to enjoy a quaint picnic early in the morning. Although there are picnic tables available that are used by most people, we believe bringing a blanket with you and sitting in the dewy grass with your sweetheart will make the experience downright magical!
Details about Middleton Place
Address: 4300 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414, USA
Price: 49 USD Per Adult, 35 USD For Student (With ID)
Website: Middleton Place
3. Evening walk along The Battery
The Battery is a landmark defensive seawall name for a civil-war coastal defense artillery battery at the site. With a beautiful waterfront promenade on one side and quaint antebellum houses on the other, it is one of the most romantic Charleston attractions and the perfect place to pop the question to your sweetheart. Afterwards, if you would like to take pictures with your partner, there are oak trees, gazebos and seaside views aplenty. Talk about an Instagram-worthy background!
The Battery
Address: The Battery, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Price: Free
Hours: Open 24 Hours
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Unwind at The Spa
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
After spending a day adventuring about with your loved one, what better way to take time out from the city’s pace to unwind and relax together than one of Charleston’s famous luxury spas? You can find a variety of spa services to suit your needs, and even try out novelty spa massages such as the Amethyst Spa at The Restoration Hotel, which uses real amethysts for their soothing properties, and offers everything from deep tissue massages, organic body scrubs and aromatherapy to facials. We are sure you will not be able to resist this indulgent experience, and you will be talking about it for a long time after!
Amethyst Spa at The Restoration
Address: 75 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Hours : Monday-Saturday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Price: Upto 200 USD
Website: The Restoration’s Amethyst Spa
5. Enjoy a romantic dinner date
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Celebrate those missed milestones and special occasions. Limited reservations are available via @Resy.
Posted by Charleston Grill on Saturday, October 31, 2020
Ah, the classic way to court the love of your life! No romantic getaway is complete without this timeless ritual that can sweep anyone off their feet and bring any couple closer than ever before. One of the important things Charleston is famous for is its classic Southern food, and it would be a crime to not enjoy the medley of gastronomy available as per your mood. We suggest the ever-popular Charleston Grill for its decadent ambiance and Southern-French cuisine, and not to mention its live jazz and wine pairings. We are sure your sweetheart will be left breathless from the sheer luxury of it all.
Charleston Grill Restaurant
Address: 224 King St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Hours: 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Price For Two: 45 USD
Website: Charleston Grill
The following content is contributed by Trip101 writer, Kenrick
6. See the sunset on Charleston Harbor (from USD 68.0)
Couples visiting Charleston can see the sunset by the harbor upon embarking on this tour. On this two-hour tour, you and your significant other can watch the sunset as the ship sails on the pristine waters. You will be captivated by the glowing twilight as the boat glides peacefully on the water. This tour also offers couples a chance to see Charleston from a different angle. They can expect to pass by Fort Sumter and Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, both historic attractions of the city. Alcoholic drinks like wine and champagne are sold onboard and perfect for toasting to your romantic journey.
Schooner Sunset Sail on Charleston Harbor
Duration: 2 hours
7. Sail around Morris Island Lighthouse (from USD 56.0)
Morris Island is an uninhabited area that served an important role during the American Civil War. Now, it serves as a pristine sanctuary for numerous birds and marine life. As such, this island is a must-visit for couples who loves history and ecology. To get there, you must embark on this tour by a private boat company. From Bowens Island, your boat shall cruise through different estuaries and marshes where you can see dolphins and turtles passing by. Upon arrival at Morris Island, you are free to wander around and collect seashells that will serve as romantic mementos for the trip.
Morris Island Lighthouse Eco-Cruise
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
8. Embark on a speed boat adventure (from USD 102.0)
Are you the type of couple who loves adventures and looking for fun things to do in Charleston? A speed boat adventure tour just might be the activity for you and your partner! On this tour, you’ll get a chance to ride an F13 speedboat with the guidance of your tour operator. Zip past notable attractions in Charleston Harbor such as The Battery, USS Yorktown, and under Ravenel Bridge. Plus, you and your partner are given the chance to capture some amazing moments and learn valuable facts through photo ops and tour stops. However, you have to book this tour in advance since only eight people are allowed per session.
Small-Group Tour: Charleston Harbor by Speedboat (Self-Driven)
Duration: 2 hours
9. Visit America's first theatre - Dock Street Theatre
If both of you like art and history, then Dock Street Theatre in Charleston will satisfy your curiosity and appreciation of historic places. Dock Street Theatre is America’s first operating theatre, started in 1736. The theatre has a colorful and storied past, having been demolished by a fire and rebuilt again. Today, it serves as the home base for Charleston Stage Company, which produces 100 performances every season. As such, Dock Street Theatre is a good place to entertain your partner while visiting Charleston. It is also the center of the city’s art scene, so don’t miss out on what the theatre has to offer.
Dock Street Theatre
Address: 135 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
Website: Dock Street Theatre
10. Enjoy the city views at The Rooftop at Vendue Inn
Nothing beats the experience of having a glass of cocktail while viewing the setting sun and the city skyline. If you and your partner want to experience it in Charleston, then head over to the rooftop bar of Vendue Inn. Local press has been calling the spot the best rooftop bar in Charleston since 2007. It also serves alfresco lunch meals, and after-work cocktails, beer, and wine. Here, couples can toast to their success while immersing in the magnificent views of the city. If you and your partner really want to make the most out of your time here, come by the weekends when locals and visitors flock to the place to unwind. No reservations are taken, so you can just drop in and enjoy what the bar has to offer to its guests.
The Rooftop at Vendue Inn
Address: 19 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
Website: The Rooftop at Vendue Inn
Opening hours: 11:30am - 11pm (daily)
11. Go on a walking food tour (from USD 110.0)
Charleston has a diverse culinary scene that couples can explore during their visit. And if you and your partner wanted to sample some of Charleston’s best, then embark on a food tour where you will explore the city’s old and historical district. This small-group tour gives you a chance to taste sumptuous offerings from a selection of locally owned dining spots. Water and fountain beverages are included in the package too. This tour will also cover some important local landmarks in the city. As such, this tour is the best way to experience Charleston’s history while satisfying your tummy.
Charleston Historic Downtown Food Walking Tour with Tastings
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
12. Unwind on a dinner cruise (from USD 63.0)
This dinner cruise is the perfect way to unwind and cap off your romantic visit to Charleston. On this tour, you and your special someone will board the grand Carolina Queen and see Charleston Harbor while the sun sets in the distance. There is a dinner buffet included in the cruise, where you and your partner can choose from a wide range of dishes such as pulled pork, coleslaw, mac ‘n cheese, smoked chicken, and more. Live blues music provides entertainment for guests on this two-hour cruise.
Charleston Blues Music and Barbecue Dinner Sunset Cruise
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
13. Be inspired by love stories from the city (from USD 35.0)
Here’s a one-of-a-kind thing to do while in Charleston: a speciality tour that lets guests experience the romantic charm of the city. If your partner is up for that tour, then you can expect nothing less than an informative and enchanting tour from Jill Paris. She has been operating this tour for years and takes visitors to enthralling landmarks such as Unitarian Church and Sword Gate House. You must embark on this tour, especially if you and your special other are looking for a romantic experience. After all, Sword Gate House is the place where a local girl risked everything just to be with her true love.
Love Stories of Charleston Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours
14. Paddle along Charleston's scenic coastline (from USD 45.0)
You and your partner will definitely learn a thing or two about paddleboarding on this unique experience. This paddleboarding tour will take couples on a romantic tour past Charleston’s scenic coastline. An instructor will guide participants on the correct method of handling paddleboards. Lucky couples might also see a pair of turtles, dolphins, or migratory birds along the way. Enjoy the serenity of the moment with your partner as you glide over the serene waters and watch the setting sun on the horizon. This two-hour tour is worth a try and will let you experience the city in a whole new way.
Charleston Sunset Stand up Paddleboard Tour
Duration: 2 hours
15. Cook up a storm at Zero George Cooking School
Located inside the boutique Zero George Hotel is Zero Restaurant + Bar that offers cooking classes for everyone. This is one of Charleston’s most prestigious cooking schools, so it comes at a price. However, that price is worth it considering the instructors you’ll be cooking with. Top-rated instructors will be teaching you and your partner how to prepare sumptuous meals around the kitchen’s revered Heston range. Should you be hungry, you can try out the delectable offerings at the restaurant. After all, the restaurant has garnered several awards, including one from Condé Nast.
Zero George Cooking School
Address: 0 George Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29401, USA
Website: Zero George Cooking School
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 11am – 1pm (closed from Mon - Fri)
Price: 150 USD
Making the most of your romantic vacations
There are few things as wonderful as being in an exotic and beautiful location with someone you love, and being able to take in all the experiences together and eventually creating memories to last. However, this highly depends on whether your vacation has been planned according to your tastes. If you are the kind of couple who loves bungee jumping, then taking wine classes together might not seem very interesting. So take a moment to think about your dream romantic holiday, ask your partner to do the same, and then plan accordingly so that you can have the best time together.
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